Sister Rita Verbeckmoes, O.S.B., 1893-1980

Sister Rita Verbeckmoes, 86, of St. Mary Priory, died at 6:30 p.m. Thursday (March 13, 1980) at Fort Madison Community Hospital.

She was born in Atkinson, Ill., on Sept. 20, 1893, a daughter of Louis and Augusta Wyngard Verbeckmoes.  She was a member of the Sisters of the Order of St. Benedict for the past 67 years.

She taught at St. Edmunds School for Boys, Nauvoo, St. Mary’s School, Moline, St. Mary’s School, Champaign, and St. Mary Academy, Nauvoo from 1941 to 1967.

She is survived by a brother, Art Verbeckmoes, Clearwater, Fla.  She was preceded in death by a brother, Rev. Fred Verbeckmoes, St. Ambrose College, Davenport.

Visitation will be Sunday afternoon at the Priory, with a wake service at 3:30 p.m. Sunday.  Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday in the Priory Chapel conducted by Father Thomas Fahey with Father John Wissing assisting.  Burial will be in Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery in Nauvoo.